Need a laugh? Click here.

Need a laugh? Click here.

Hi there!
Thanks for dropping in.

Day 3 of the retreats today, so I must run.
Talking of running – 
have you watched this?

I curled up when I watched this.
So funny.
Just about sums my life up right now.
Running round like a headless chicken,
 in no particular direction.
I just need to stand still for a moment,
and get my bearings again.
Do you know what I mean?
Life seems to gather momentum here.
Business picks up speed and I get caught up in this virtual race!
Then I drag Dave, Paul, Jim and the rest of the Clarity team into the other lanes – and off we shoot !!
But it occurred to me that there is no finishing line!
Then there are the false starts.
We’ve had a few of them recently too.
Did you watch the Kierin Race at the Velodrome last night in Rio?
Nail-biting or what ?!?!
Not one, but TWO false starts!
Our Brit, Jason Kenny,  held his nerve and pedalled to gold. 
Good boy. 
This morning is no different.
I am in a scramble to get to Day 3 of the retreat.
But wait!
It’s all a question of perspective….
Am I really charging down the road to work?
Hardly!
Actually, today is the perfect way to slow down and reeeelax.
I shall be spending time with a lovely group of very excited, passionate crafters.
How hard can that be???
They WANT to be with me.
They have invested a lot of time, energy and money to be with me.
That in itself is very cool and comforting.
And when I stop to consider, properly STOP and think about it,
they come to be with me. 
Isn’t that marvellous. 
And so I shall take my morning stroll up to the Rugby Club,
all set for another fabulous day with a smiling group of crafters who want to learn.
Now that can’t be a bad thing, can it. 
Love & Peace,
Barb
xxx

104 thoughts on “Need a laugh? Click here.

  1. I wish,wish I was with you!! My crafting of late has come to a full stop!! My mojo has well and truly left the building. I have all these Groovi plates, am a diamond club member so no excuses for inspiration but all I want to do is colour! So I am waiting eagerly for my colouring book, postcards and bookmarks and waiting for my mojo to reappear – as it surely will – eventually. Christmas is on the horizon after all (sorry ladies!!)

    1. Hi Gillian hope you get your clarity parcel soon so you can loose yourself in your colouring all crafting helps have you tried the groovi elephants from last months inspiration I found they helped me loose myself in there world hope this helps hugs xxx

    2. Thank you ladies! I made 2 Christmas cards today. – die cuts and embossing folders so no stamping (sorry!) but suddenly I have some ideas! And nothing like having some 'product' to see some progress. Small steps.

    3. And my Clarity package arrived today!!!! Beautiful, beautiful colouring book, postcards and bookmarks!! Wonderful quality paper – just can't wait together going – need to do some housework first to 'earn' the time!!

  2. Good morning Barbara. Excellent sentiments!!! Say hiya to the team for me please and I know you will ALL have a marvellous time. Happy Crafting everyone. Hugs Emma xxx

  3. Good morning Barbara. Excellent sentiments!!! Say hiya to the team for me please and I know you will ALL have a marvellous time. Happy Crafting everyone. Hugs Emma xxx

  4. That's so funny, just like my life at moment. Getting camper van today so hoping can come on a retreat next year 😀 Can't wait to spend a very social day with you.. Have fun x

  5. Hi to all my blog friends, hope you are all ok. Looks to be a lovely day here. Too late to make any comments last night. Have a great day everyone. Love and hugs, Pam xxx

  6. Morning Barbara have a wonderful day with like minded crafters just enjoy never mind stressing over other things that will come right in the end as your so dedicated like all your clarity crew
    The video is so funny thank you for sharing 😂 Xxx

    1. Morning to all my blog family of friends thinking of you all sending heartfelt hugs to all oh I'm early today hope to get in some crafting today as I've got nothing on for the rest of this week so plenty of time to do a little crafting and resting in between hoping to have the postman fetch me a clarity parcel colouring bookmarks/ postcards .and Maria is on hochanda today so lots of inspiration too happy mindful Wednesday to you all xxx

    2. Good evening Sheila, so pleased to hear that you are able to do a little crafting, and now that your colouring goodies have arrived – you will be spoilt for choice. Take things easy. Love and hugs, Gilly xxx

    3. Hi Sheila,
      Glad your Clarity parcel arrived – so did mine and I was so impressed with the book and postcards. Hope you've had a good crafty day. Love and hugs Alison xx

  7. I hope you have a great day today. We all need to stop and smell the roses and just appreciate the now. I am splitting up from my husband at the moment and what keeps me going is that in a couple of years time when youngest has gone to uni and oldest is making her own way in life I will be free to move house to be nearer people who care about me. For now however he is still in the house and refusing to speak to me which is frustrating me as we can't sort anything out. But it isn't so bad, if he doesn't speak to me then there are no arguments and I can concentrate my love on my girls. I can appreciate the now and I can see the finishing line. My race isn't the 100m or a marathon it is the hurdles!

    1. Morning julia sending you hurdles of hugs to use to jump over thinking of you loose yourself in your crafting dear blog friend I feel it for you life eh 💐🏅

    2. Oh dear, I feel for you. Its one thing making the decision but quite another to do all the 'untangling' that involves. Take it all one day at a time ( now where have I heard that before?) and eventually all will be well.

    3. Hi there Julia – it's good to hear how positive you are, at what is probably the hardest part of your life! Keep on with thinking in that way, and you will be able to get through this. Speaking from my past experience, it is well worth it! I found that I was lonelier with the wrong person, than when I was on my own! We are all here for you – take care and keep strong, love and hugs Gilly xxx

    4. Hi Julia,
      Sorry to hear you're going through this. It is good that you are positive though. Don't forget we are all here for you. Love and caring hugs,Alison xx

    5. Hi Julia sorry to hear you are struggling at the moment, the two years will fly by though. I hope the girls are ok, they are old enough to understand which is a good thing. Sending hugs xxx

    6. Thank you everybody for your support, it means a lot and I will remember it when the bad days come. Gilly, you are so right, I have never felt as lonely in my puff as I have felt recently. I am also slowing beginning to like myself again, maybe I'm not so bad after all.

  8. Video was funny life can be very like that then sit back think what properties what needs doing and what can wait life becomes easier . We'll have a great day with lovely craft friends sounds a great day but busy sun shining so that helps of to do the house work must to do then Jackie coming for coffee hugs xJoy xxx

  9. Good morning, Barbara, and everyone in the wonderful Clarity family, and to all those who are listening to everything you are telling them right this minute. They are going to have a wonderful two days with you, not to mention tasting some of Lynne Bishop's cake. By inspiring all these people to try new techniques, that is a vital finishing line for today, but with the option to travel further on your train. My aim today is to clear all my craft stuff out of the living room apart from the one technique that is top of the pile this week. My reward is to sit down and watch our Maria on Hochanda later. Are you allowing your class to watch at lunchtime? xxx Maggie

    1. Just had to ring Clarity Towers to sort out the mess I had made of my account, just by trying to change my email address. Janine was so patient and sorted it all out for me as I knew she would. Thank you, Janine. It all worked and I am back in. Excellent customer service from a great company, as always. xxx Maggie

    2. Hi Maggie, I have had a wonderful first day and now I know the projects you have so carefully hidden from me. Glad you got your account sorted need to be able to shop. xx

    3. Hope you are having a great time Lynne, so wish I was there but not this year, never mind maybe next year and doing a bit of crafting here while enjoying the Olympics too

  10. Really funny. I think we all feel like that sometimes. We just need to take time and appreciate what and who we have.
    Really wish I could get to a retreat as it sounds like an amazing expience.
    I am really looking forward to to Emma's groovi workshop on Saturday. It will be nice to sit and craft without interruption and learn something new too.

    1. It is a wonderful experience, both from the crafting side and the social side, being able to get together with lots of like minded friends. It does not matter if you start out on your own, you will soon be part of the group, even having breakfast together on the Clarity table. xxx Maggie

  11. Just what the Dr ordered so they say – a good laugh.

    Just on the catch up with your blog today – missed the last 3 days – were did they go. OH YES too busy watching the Olympics….fantastic. Shame the Dressage, and showjumping not on when they say and guess what I missed it.

    Been funny old week – Mum – on the phone to me last week – sounding very down and now she has a friend to stay – she is bright and breezy – as if nothing is wrong. But I know she is just putting on a "front"

    Sometimes I think I just need to slow down and have some me time – which I have to say the Olympics is doing for me.

    Hugs and love to all my friends

    x

    1. Morning pen you enjoy your me time especially while your mums got a friend staying to keep company it's your free time at present sending lots off crafting hugs xxx

    2. I put a reply to you earlier today but it seems to have vanished somewhere. The equestrian events have been on at the right times but all on the red button which has been tricky to navigate. I think they are there for you to watch on catch up on the red button. The final showjumping for the individual medals will be on Friday. Hope you manage to find it. xxx Maggie

    3. Hi there Pen – so pleased to hear that you have made some time for yourself, just what you need! Your Mum is probably fine at the moment, as she has got her friend with her. This is the perfect time for you to have your 'me time'! Please make sure that you do! Hugs Gilly xxx

    4. Hi Pen,
      I definitely think you need to take time for yourself and now is the right time while your Mam is in a good place and the Olympics are on! Love and hugs Alison xx

  12. You are early today. Just looked in before we go away – I should be checking traffic!
    As a head I could never get to the bottom of the pile and often missed deadlines despite a 60 hour week but I was fortunate in being able to switch off over the summer and recharge. I also shared a horse with my daughter which had to be looked after and ridden which made me relax and forget work. It would have been so easy to skip exercise and relaxation otherwise xx

  13. That's a great video! I'm a bit like that at times, so much in my head and not sure what I want to do first and then I do nothing! Used to be like that at work and I'm just the same now except I have more enjoyable things in my head! X

  14. Hi everyone, another lovely sunny day here. Hope it's the same with you. Must attempt something today craft wise … I wonder what it will be. I might use up,some old kits I have as I really should ! Xx

    1. Hi Jackie – hope that you got some crafting done today! I also LOVE those new plates – but at the moment I am resisting, seeing as I am already due a Clarity parcel! Any news on the new baby plates? xx

    2. Jackie I missed Maria, I was being good and sitting in the garden to get my vitamin d rather than watching tv! Now I've got to go and look, mind you I can watch on catch up as I do the ironing tomorrow 😀Xxx

  15. I love that You Tube video Barbara and you should just relax and enjoy it all. You have done so many if these now and everyone thoroughly enjoys their time with you, so all good. I wish I was there too but I live just that bit too far away unfortunately. x

  16. Hi Barbara, glad to hear you've found the right path in your head for today. And, that you are registering that you do matter to so many of us. Hope you're managing to live in the moment today, chilling with your retreaters. I know that's the best bit for you, meeting, teaching and inspiring people. You're a great success at it. You also inspire so many people with far more than craft. My head is like that video too!!!

    My event today – The Toilet Roll High Jump. If my body is struggling, when needing to get the heavy steps out to get a new bag of loo rolls a wee jump to knock them off the shelf does the job!!! And should I miss catching them, a bag of loo rolls falling on my head isn't going to do any harm!!!

    Two days in a row we've got warm sun, summer part 2 for us then. But set to change tomorrow, heading for more rain and gales on Friday!

    Love Brenda xx

    1. Hi Brenda – so pleased to hear that you are enjoying some good weather again today! I hope that you did well in 'The Toilet Roll High Jump'! I suppose it all depends on how Daisy judges you – I do hope she will be more lenient today! Love Gilly xx

    2. Hi Brenda,
      Hope you came first in the event of the day- mind you if Daisy is judging, I'm not so sure!! You've given me another giggle today. Like ve and hugs Alison cx

    3. Hi Brenda
      I love your descriptions of your sporting activities, the toilet roll high jump is the best so far. I hope Daisy gave you a gold for this one! Sending hugs to you and Daisy
      Love Diane xxx

  17. If the dates of your workshops had been different I would have come the length of the country to attend, so just goes to show how much people value your skills. At least my guests this week aren't moaning about the weather, as it's been glorious for the last few days. Enjoy your retreats x

  18. Next year definatly next year I want to come on a retreat . Postman delivered a clarity parcel today and oh joy it was my colouring book and postcards , can't wait to start so far just happy stroking them .!!! X

  19. You were right Barbara I did laugh at video, very funny. Today was fantastic and you give so much of your time willingly to us all even though you are so busy. Looking forward to our projects tomorrow. xx

  20. Hi Barb,
    Very amusing video! I think you are right to remember that people wouldn't be at the retreats if it wasn't for you and everything that you stand for. My colouring goodies arrived today and they are gorgeous, love the faint lines and the quality is superb too. I think I will have to start with the postcards though – don't want to ruin my book! Love and hugs Alison xx

    1. Hi bloggy friends,
      Beautiful day here today even though I've been a bit rough – I sound as though I smoke 100 cigarettes a day even though I've never touched one! Only managed half a mile on my bike today, my legs just didn't want to pedal! Will give it another go tomorrow. Good news was that Dave said I looked a lot more confident and didn't have a wobble getting going or stopping! ( that's praise indeed from him!) Don't think I'll be long out of bed tonight, I'm shattered. Hope you've all had a good day. Love and hugs Alison xx

    2. Alison I hope you feel better soon, nothing worse than feeling rough when it's so warm. Good to hear you are making progress on the bike, it will be the velodrome soon!!! Xxx

  21. Hi Barbara – I am really pleased to see that today you have realised just how many people want to spend time in your company and also learn so much from you. I have been convinced for some time, that you don't realise just how popular and extremely talented you are – so continue will today's mindset and just enjoy what you are doing this week.
    Maria's shows today were fantastic, and the new plates are incredible! I also couldn't fail to notice that this is the first of the Box Templates, oh dear, just what are you doing to our finances! I have resisted for now, but really it's just a matter of time – hugs Gilly x

    1. Hi to all of my lovely blog friends – well today's weather here in Cornwall hasn't been so good! We just popped down to Charlestown today, and the sea mist was rolling in, and now we have got light drizzle! The next few days aren't going to be very good either, oh well – it was SO good whilst it lasted. I have rested for most of the day, and only went to Charlestown – to pop in to see my hairdresser, just to get my fringe cut. Not risking an appointment yet, as I don't think my back is ready for 'a backwash' yet! The really GOOD news is that Neill got his radiotherapy start date – Tues 23rd August – which is a bit earlier that we had thought it would be!! Take care everyone – love and hugs Gilly xxx

    2. Dear gilly pleased you mannage to pop out and didn't do too much your right about your hair baby steps great news over Neil's treatment hugs to you both xxx

    3. Hi Gilly that's good news about Neil's treatment. What a shame your weather has broken, think we are due some rain tomorrow too, mind you the garden desperately needs it. Sending hugs xxx

  22. Hi Barbara, well you have done it again. Just caught a glimpse of the new plates little boxes how brilliant I can think of lots of ways to use them.will catch up with the shows and watch them tomorrow. How this Groovi system had grown but I will have to wait just a few weeks for this one as just placed an order on Monday.
    Thank you again for brilliant products Looving this Groovi.
    Lynn xx

  23. Hi ladies, hope you are all well. Lovley weather today have been getting on with some more cards. Well Morag I think I have about mastered this. Cutting just a lot more practice but getting there.
    Hope you have all seen the new Groovi boxes have only caught a glimpse but will see all the shows tomorrow.
    These look like a must have! !!!

    Barbara just seems to come up with brilliant things for the Groovi.
    Please keep safe and look after yourselves.
    Nighty nighty hugs Lynn xx

  24. Hi Barbara
    What a great video, I think we all feel like this sometimes!! Isn't it lovely to go to work looking forward to the day, knowing you will have fun with likeminded people. Hope you all had a fun day with lots of laughter. Wasn't the cycling good last night, real edge of the seat stuff ending with yelling go on go on you can do it at the tv!! They make a lovely couple don't they. Hope tomorrow is another fun day.
    Love Diane xxx

    1. Hello all my lovely blog friends, hope everyone is ok. The sun has been shining here today but the weather man has put rain over us for tomorrow so I sat in the garden with my book after doing a pile of ironing. Must get some crafting done soon though, I think my mojo has gone on holiday!! Sending hugs all round xxx

  25. Bag packed, car washed, water & sarnies in the fridge ready for the cool bag tomorrow (ice packs in freezer – phew!) Just need to fill up with petrol on the way to pick up Anne then…. we're on our way to Crowborough, on our way to Crowborough, tra la la la, tra la la la! Can you tell I'm (we're) excited?!!! lol. Oh yes have also been on line and paid our Dartford Crossing fees – fingers crossed no lasting damage after the crash that caused mayhem Wednesday morning… gulp! See you there…….

  26. Good job the python team aren't part of team GB! However, they could have been in the officials adjudicating the cycling. Yes, I'm still exercising my vocal chords from the comfort of my sofa. Go Kenny…..go Laura. Fantastic results. Mind you, I'm still crafting with one ear open to the commentary,. It's aarriage made in heaven. Enjoy the rest of the retreats, xx

  27. Hi Barb, I am sure that there are many crafters that would love to be there with you, learning and being inspired. To everyone that is going, enjoy yourselves in the company of one amazing lady. Bx

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